nor any leader other than him. How, then, could a future matter that had not yet occurred be reported (1), while no information was given concerning what they needed more—namely, the ruling governing them at that very time?

Moreover, the leader on the Day of Resurrection is the Messenger of Allah—blessings and peace be upon him—so whom (2) would Alī lead?

Furthermore, according to the Shia, the majority of Muslims whose faces and limbs are radiant are unbelievers or sinners. Whom, then, would he lead?

It is reported in the Sahih that the Prophet—blessings and peace be upon him—said:

“I wish that I had seen my brothers.”

They asked, “Are we not your brothers, O Messenger of Allah?”

He replied, “You are my Companions, while our brothers are those who have not (3) yet come.”

They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how will you recognize those of your community who have not yet come?”

He replied, “Suppose a man owned horses with white blazes and white legs amidst horses that were entirely black. Would he not recognize his own horses?”

They said, “Indeed, O Messenger of Allah.”

He said, “They will come on the Day of Resurrection with faces and limbs radiant from ablution, and I shall precede them to the Pool.” To the end of the hadith (4).

This establishes that everyone who performs ablution and washes his face, hands, and feet is among those whose faces and limbs are radiant. The overwhelming majority of them give precedence to Abū Bakr and Umar. The Rāfidis, however, do not wash the soles of their feet or their heels, so they are not among those whose limbs are radiant * with respect to their feet. Consequently, no one remains among those whose faces and limbs are radiant for him to lead, nor are they led